Pali High Safe After Fire: LAUSD Reassurance for Parents
- The los Angeles Unified School District released a litany of test results for the fire-damaged Palisades Charter High School ahead of the planned return of students next...
- However,some parents remain concerned with a perceived rush to repopulate the campus.
- "I think they jumped the gun," said a parent of one Pali High sophomore, who asked not to be named because she feared backlash for her child.
The los Angeles Unified School District released a litany of test results for the fire-damaged Palisades Charter High School ahead of the planned return of students next week, showing the district’s remediation efforts have removed much of the post-fire contamination.
However,some parents remain concerned with a perceived rush to repopulate the campus. And while experts commended the efforts as one of the most comprehensive post-fire school remediations in modern history, they warned the district failed to test for a key family of air contaminants that can increase cancer risk and cause illness.
“I think they jumped the gun,” said a parent of one Pali High sophomore, who asked not to be named because she feared backlash for her child. “I’m quiet angry, and I’m very scared. My kid wants to go back.… I don’t want to give him too much information because he has a lot of anxiety around all of these changes.”
Nevertheless, she still plans to send her child back to school on Tuesday, because she doesn’t want to create yet another disruption to the student’s life. “These are kids that also lived through COVID,” she said.
The 2025 Palisades fire destroyed multiple buildings on Pali High’s campus and deposited soot and ash in others. Following the fire, the school operated virtually for several months and, in mid-April of 2025, moved into a former Sears department store in Santa Monica.
Meanwhile, on campus, the U.S.environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared debris from the destroyed structures, and LAUSD hired certified environmental remediation and testing companies to restore the still-standing buildings to a safe condition.
LAUSD serves as the charter school’s landlord and took on post-fire remediation and testing for the school. The decision to move back to the campus was ultimately up to the charter school’s independent leadership.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power tested the drinking water for a slew of contaminants,and environmental consultants tested the soil,HVAC systems,indoor air and surfaces including floors,desks and lockers.
They tested for asbestos, toxic metals such as lead and potentially hazardous organic compounds frequently enough
Los Angeles Unified School District Soil Testing Results
Table of Contents
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) conducted soil testing at several schools following concerns about potential contamination from the now-shuttered Exide battery recycling plant, and found metals in the soil did not pose a health risk to students or staff, according to an analysis released in late 2023. However, the scope of air quality testing has drawn criticism from some experts.
Exide Battery Recycling Plant and Initial Concerns
The Exide plant, located in Vernon, California, operated for decades and released lead and other toxic materials into the habitat. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversaw the plant’s closure in 2015 and continues to manage the cleanup of the surrounding area. Concerns arose that contaminants from the plant had spread to nearby schools, potentially impacting the health of students and staff. LAUSD initiated testing programs to assess the extent of any contamination.
Soil Testing Findings
Soil testing conducted by environmental consultants determined that metals found in the soil did not present a health risk. The analysis focused on potential exposure pathways for at-risk individuals, such as prolonged contact through activities like yard work or sports. LAUSD’s Environmental Sustainability page details the testing protocols and results. The consultants found that the levels of metals present were below thresholds considered harmful for both students and staff.
Indoor Surface Contamination and Remediation
Testing of indoor surfaces revealed the presence of lead in two areas and arsenic in one area.The Los Angeles Times reported on December 14, 2023, that these areas were subsequently recleaned and retested to ensure the metals were removed.Follow-up tests confirmed the absence of lead and arsenic in those locations.
Debate Over Air Quality Testing
The air quality testing methodology has become a point of contention. Some experts argue that LAUSD’s consultants only tested for a limited number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), primarily those considered non-hazardous. NBC News reported on December 15, 2023, that critics believe a more comprehensive air quality assessment is necessary to fully evaluate potential health risks. The limited scope of the testing raises questions about whether other potentially harmful airborne contaminants were detected.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Actions
As of january 23, 2026, LAUSD continues to monitor the situation and collaborate with the EPA and other agencies. The EPA’s Exide technologies site page provides updates on the ongoing cleanup efforts and related information. LAUSD has not announced plans for additional, more comprehensive air quality testing as of this date, but maintains its commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment for all students and staff.